In this post I would like to share a short and targeted guide on how to increase the frequency of the Wii U GPU from the standard 550Mhz to 680Mhz or other values. *(I made this for Аrоmа users).*
I should say that this is dangerous and you do everything at your own risk, but I have already said this. My personal recommendation would be to clean the console from dust and replace the thermal pad because the temperature will definitely rise, as will the energy consumption. Below I will describe which frequency should be chosen in your situation, but first you need to do the following things.
Simply put, it's a magical thing that gets to the "heart" of the console to allow changes. It offers a lot of things like brick protection, but we only need one plugin.
3. Unzip the archive to the SD card.
4. Hold B on the Gamepad while booting and select fw_img_loader.
5. Choose Boot \ios.img` (6x Power, 1x Eject) and follow the Instructions on the screen (3x Eject, 1x Power, 3x Eject)
Now we will create a file in which we will enter the overclocking values.
1. Use any online service or application to create an ini file and add the following text at the beginning:
This is needed for autobooting with sd card.
2. Overclocking metrics
This is what the standard overclocking indicators look like: (Don't be scared)
GPU = 544.999878MHz
Formula how to calculate what you want yourself:
27 * (0x285ED0 / 0x10000) / (0+1) / (0x4/2)
3. Which frequency should I choose?
Below are some sample frequencies, like "the cleaner the console, the higher you should try." Judging by early survey data, 30% of A1X Wii U's have a chance of hitting 750MHz, while B1X are more likely to hit it.
You can check the revision of your console, and if you are lucky enough to be the proud owner of the B1X model, you can overclock the Wii U up to 1 GHz (In theory) due to the more energy-efficient 28 nanometer processor.
650Mhz
This is the optimal solution in terms of temperature consumption, suitable for those who don't want to take too many risks and mess around. Let's assume you have a usual wii u which you at least occasionally blew the dust off.
680Mhz
This is more of a transitional stage; if everything works well here, move on, If not, then you're out of luck, my friend. But you should make sure your console is clean and your thermal pad is new, not factory-installed in big 2012.
750Mhz
If you've made it this far, you're probably in luck and can now use it permanently, provided your console is well maintained. At frequencies higher than this, your screen will probably freeze for a couple of seconds, but if everything is good you can continue experimenting.
750Mhz+
If you want higher frequencies, I recommend replacing the stock cooler with an Noctua NF-A4X20 5V, ARCTIC P8 Slim PWM PST, or any similar cooler. The temperature will rise significantly, and the stock cooler will be clearly insufficient.
The creator of the de_Fuse said: "The GPU gets unstable at around 770MHz in my testing". I use 750Mhz with default cooler and everything works fine, but it seems I was lucky because several other a5x wii u only work on 650Mhz.
Other values that have already been calculated:
700 - gpu_clk_f = 0x33DA13
740 - gpu_clk_f = 0x36D098
760 - gpu_clk_f = 0x384BDA
Replace these lines in the code above of course.
3. When you have finally decided on the first frequency value, you just need to move the finished file along the path below:
Location: sd:/minute/minute.ini
This is done so that the aroma autobooting does not interfere with the minute.
Turn on the Wii U and everything is ready, the power button will now be purple.
What is the difference in performance at all?
- The difference will be noticeable only in those things where the GPU power was insufficient: for example, Cafe menu, games like Zelda BOTW, Watch Dogs, Mass Effect 3, Monster Hunter , Mario Kart 8 Split Screen etc.
Share how specific games have improved for you here: Test Sheet.
How can I see the difference in FPS?
- Try to install the PapayaHUD аromа plugin. This isn't the best method, as it lowers your FPS so test it before and after OC, and at least something will be clear. The best way is, of course, a capture card.
I have a different payloader how can I try it?
- Here is link to full ISFShах guide, not like mine, shortened for Arоmа.
How to choose the ideal frequency?
First, find the maximum, try 700 and If everything's good, then increase by 10. If you have any graphical artifacts, try lowering it by 5 until you achieve perfect stability.
Is this dangerous?
No. Changing frequencies doesn't pose any particular danger. If you experience any problems, simply lower the frequency. Your console won't smoke in sadness.
How much has energy consumption increased?
No one has conducted precise tests yet, but initially the console uses approximately 35W, overclocking increases this to ≈50W, while the maximum power supply can provide is 75W.
Is it possible to overclock a CPU or RAM?
Unfortunately, no, but maybe it will happen someday. At least the Wii U is already in luck; not every console has overclocking capabilities.
Is there a plugin planned for the future to make this easier?
It's great that I came up with this question myself to casually demonstrate the idea.
included a short Google Form to gather feedback from users doing similar overclocking experiments. The form is voluntary and anonymous. The problem is that we don't have any statistics at all, and it would be cool to analyze them together later.
Survey link: [LINK]
P.S. I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this possible. I didn't develop anything, but only tried to popularize and simplify what had already been created. I'm the author of this simplified guide on Reddit, which I created 4 months ago; this is my account on that forum and I've reposted when the guide was already improved.
Chatter
I should say that this is dangerous and you do everything at your own risk, but I have already said this. My personal recommendation would be to clean the console from dust and replace the thermal pad because the temperature will definitely rise, as will the energy consumption. Below I will describe which frequency should be chosen in your situation, but first you need to do the following things.
Installing ISFShах
Simply put, it's a magical thing that gets to the "heart" of the console to allow changes. It offers a lot of things like brick protection, but we only need one plugin.
- Download archive.
- Delete the following files :
3. Unzip the archive to the SD card.
4. Hold B on the Gamepad while booting and select fw_img_loader.
5. Choose Boot \ios.img` (6x Power, 1x Eject) and follow the Instructions on the screen (3x Eject, 1x Power, 3x Eject)
Minute.ini configuration
Now we will create a file in which we will enter the overclocking values.
1. Use any online service or application to create an ini file and add the following text at the beginning:
Code:
[boot]
autoboot=3
autoboot_timeout=02. Overclocking metrics
This is what the standard overclocking indicators look like: (Don't be scared)
GPU = 544.999878MHz
Code:
[clocks]
gpu_clk_r = 0x0
gpu_clk_f = 0x285ED0
gpu_clk_s = 0x1C2
gpu_clk_v = 0x7
gpu_clk_o_0div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_1div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_2div = 0x027 * (0x285ED0 / 0x10000) / (0+1) / (0x4/2)
3. Which frequency should I choose?
Below are some sample frequencies, like "the cleaner the console, the higher you should try." Judging by early survey data, 30% of A1X Wii U's have a chance of hitting 750MHz, while B1X are more likely to hit it.
You can check the revision of your console, and if you are lucky enough to be the proud owner of the B1X model, you can overclock the Wii U up to 1 GHz (In theory) due to the more energy-efficient 28 nanometer processor.
650Mhz
This is the optimal solution in terms of temperature consumption, suitable for those who don't want to take too many risks and mess around. Let's assume you have a usual wii u which you at least occasionally blew the dust off.
Code:
[clocks]
gpu_clk_r = 0x0
gpu_clk_f = 0x302ED6
gpu_clk_s = 0x1C2
gpu_clk_v = 0x7
gpu_clk_o_0div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_1div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_2div = 0x0680Mhz
This is more of a transitional stage; if everything works well here, move on, If not, then you're out of luck, my friend. But you should make sure your console is clean and your thermal pad is new, not factory-installed in big 2012.
Code:
[clocks]
gpu_clk_r = 0x0
gpu_clk_f = 0x325ED5
gpu_clk_s = 0x1C2
gpu_clk_v = 0x7
gpu_clk_o_0div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_1div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_2div = 0x0750Mhz
If you've made it this far, you're probably in luck and can now use it permanently, provided your console is well maintained. At frequencies higher than this, your screen will probably freeze for a couple of seconds, but if everything is good you can continue experimenting.
Code:
[clocks]
gpu_clk_r = 0x0
gpu_clk_f = 0x378E39
gpu_clk_s = 0x1C2
gpu_clk_v = 0x7
gpu_clk_o_0div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_1div = 0x4
gpu_clk_o_2div = 0x0750Mhz+
If you want higher frequencies, I recommend replacing the stock cooler with an Noctua NF-A4X20 5V, ARCTIC P8 Slim PWM PST, or any similar cooler. The temperature will rise significantly, and the stock cooler will be clearly insufficient.
The creator of the de_Fuse said: "The GPU gets unstable at around 770MHz in my testing". I use 750Mhz with default cooler and everything works fine, but it seems I was lucky because several other a5x wii u only work on 650Mhz.
Other values that have already been calculated:
700 - gpu_clk_f = 0x33DA13
740 - gpu_clk_f = 0x36D098
760 - gpu_clk_f = 0x384BDA
Replace these lines in the code above of course.
3. When you have finally decided on the first frequency value, you just need to move the finished file along the path below:
Location: sd:/minute/minute.ini
Undo Autobooting into PayloadLoader
This is done so that the aroma autobooting does not interfere with the minute.
- Launch the PayloadLoader Installer from the Wii U Menu.
- Press A to select `Check`
- Select `Boot options`.
- You will be asked if you want to switch the boot title. Press A to select `Switch back to Wii U Menu`.
- When the process finished, press A to shutdown the console.
- The console will now boot again into the Wii U Menu. The PayloadLoader can still be launched by launching the Health & Safety Application.
The final touches
Add th 5payldr.ipx file to the SD card at `sd/wiiu/ios_plugins/`Turn on the Wii U and everything is ready, the power button will now be purple.
FAQ
What is the difference in performance at all?
- The difference will be noticeable only in those things where the GPU power was insufficient: for example, Cafe menu, games like Zelda BOTW, Watch Dogs, Mass Effect 3, Monster Hunter , Mario Kart 8 Split Screen etc.
Share how specific games have improved for you here: Test Sheet.
How can I see the difference in FPS?
- Try to install the PapayaHUD аromа plugin. This isn't the best method, as it lowers your FPS so test it before and after OC, and at least something will be clear. The best way is, of course, a capture card.
I have a different payloader how can I try it?
- Here is link to full ISFShах guide, not like mine, shortened for Arоmа.
How to choose the ideal frequency?
First, find the maximum, try 700 and If everything's good, then increase by 10. If you have any graphical artifacts, try lowering it by 5 until you achieve perfect stability.
Is this dangerous?
No. Changing frequencies doesn't pose any particular danger. If you experience any problems, simply lower the frequency. Your console won't smoke in sadness.
How much has energy consumption increased?
No one has conducted precise tests yet, but initially the console uses approximately 35W, overclocking increases this to ≈50W, while the maximum power supply can provide is 75W.
Is it possible to overclock a CPU or RAM?
Unfortunately, no, but maybe it will happen someday. At least the Wii U is already in luck; not every console has overclocking capabilities.
Is there a plugin planned for the future to make this easier?
It's great that I came up with this question myself to casually demonstrate the idea.
Survey
included a short Google Form to gather feedback from users doing similar overclocking experiments. The form is voluntary and anonymous. The problem is that we don't have any statistics at all, and it would be cool to analyze them together later.
Survey link: [LINK]
P.S. I also want to express my gratitude to everyone who made this possible. I didn't develop anything, but only tried to popularize and simplify what had already been created. I'm the author of this simplified guide on Reddit, which I created 4 months ago; this is my account on that forum and I've reposted when the guide was already improved.
Last edited by Just_Mellow,
